Disposable electralytic transdermal drug applicator

ABSTRACT

An electrically powered transdermal drug applicator a flexible, non-conductive substrate with a plurality of conductive coated areas forming drug reservoir electrodes with a plurality of drug reservoirs separated by occlusive dams are in electrical contact with the drug reservoir electrodes. Flexible mounting means support and removably holding the drug applicator to a limb of a body and form together therewith a combined dual assembly structure conformable to that part of said body and skin to which the drug applicator is attached. The mounting means has programmable computer means including a power source connected in an electrical circuit with the electrodes of the drug reservoirs for electrically powering the applicator and transmitting the drug programmably through the skin. A conformal cover is secured to said transdermal drug applicator and a release liner covers and protects the drug reservoirs until use.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 105,889 filed Oct. 7, 1987,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,188, which is a division of Ser. No. 807,234filed Dec. 10, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,926, which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 702,486 filed Feb. 19, 1985, nowabandoned which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 500,080 filed Jan.17, 1985 and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 660,192 filed Oct. 12,1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,031 which is a continuation-in-part ofSer. No. 524,252 filed Aug. 18, 1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,223.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to disposable as well as replenishabletransdermal drug applicators which are electrically powered, and tomethods for making such constructions. A complete electrical circuit ismade through the skin once the drug applicator is adhered thereto,whereby at least one physico/chemical mass transfer phenomenon takesplace causing the drug or medicament to migrate through the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reference to or disclosure of devices for transdermal delivery of drugsby application of electrical current through the skin of a person oranimal are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.

    ______________________________________                                                 385,556     4,243,052                                                         486,902     4,325,367                                                         588,479     4,367,745                                                       2,493,155     4,419,091                                                       2,267,162     4,474,570                                                       2,784,715     4,406,658                                                       3,163,166     4,314,554                                                       3,289,671     4,166,457                                                       3,547,107     4,239,052                                                       3,677,268     4,290,878                                                       4,008,721     4,164,226                                                       4,141,359     4,362,645                                                       4,239,046     4,273,135                                                ______________________________________                                    

The following foreign patents refer to or disclose transdermal deliverydevices:

EPA 0060452

DE 290202183

DE 3225748

EPA 0058920

UK 2104388

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, so as to illustratethe innards of a self-contained drug applicator of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drug applicator ofFIG. 1, and also illustrating in exploded view a reusable power supplywhich may be provided with a programmable control and wrist watchmounting;

FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2, but shown perspectively, in whichthe power supply and the programmable control are contained within awrist watch mounting having concentric connectors;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing analternate construction having a pair of off-center apertures or slotsfor the electrical connections in lieu of concentric electrical contactsmade through the use of a single center aperture so as to enable themounting of a new drug applicator to the reusable power supply in akeyed or polarized manner;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary perspective views of typicalconfigurations of drug electrodes/reservoirs provided on endless websubstrates fed from rolled stock material, with occlusive adhesive damsseparating the drug reservoirs longitudinally, as well as transversely;

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively illustrate diagrammatically typicalassemblies of drug electrodes/reservoirs forming larger reservoir means;or forming drug gradient with layers of both high and low drugconcentration within reservoirs separated by a semipermeable membrane orreinforcing scrim.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a disposable drug applicator with aseparate subassemblied power source and electrical conditioning meansadhesively assembled along their electrodes to any one typical drugelectrode/reservoir assemblies shown in FIGS. 6-7;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 8, butillustrating an alternate drug applicator construction in which theouter conformal cover has window means through which current inducedcolor changes or other visual feedback information can be viewed forverification of status of the drug delivery system, such as drugdelivery taking place or having been terminated.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate construction havingsimilarly optionally replaceable drug reservoirs(electrodes/reservoirs), and with flat batteries forming a sub-assemblywith electrical connections to electronic conditioning means; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an endless such substrate fed from rolled stockmaterial upon which is provided thin sheet electrodes for the flatbatteries and other rolled, layered materials for forming thepower-source subassembly shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should also be noted that as a convenience in the followingdescription of the invention, like numerals are representative ofsimilar elements common to the various embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown a transdermal drug applicator10 which is adhered to the skin 11 comprising an outer cover 12 with acentrally raised portion 14 and a peripheral sealed area or lip portion16. Such an applicator is of the replaceable type having provision forconnection to a reusable power supply 18 which may be, if desired, partof a wrist watch mounting having optionally a programmable controldevice such as more particularly described and claimed in saidaforementioned earlier filed patent application, Ser. No.PCT/US85/01075, filed Jun. 10, 1985.

Power supply 18 comprises a suitable disc battery 20 having electrodesor terminals on opposite sides thereof. One battery electrode iselectrically connected to current conditioning or electronicconditioning means 22 and by means of suitable snap-on or other type ofmechanical connectors (silver-plated Velcro connections manufactured byVelcro Corporation of America) or by conductive and reusable adhesives;and the battery electrodes are in turn connected to conductors 24,24'extending from drug reservoirs 26,28. The conductors 24, 24' aresuitably conductive surfaces or coatings on a flexible plastic substrate30 which is non-conductive, impermeable, stable and otherwise compatiblewith drugs, adhesives, the skin and any other materials from which thedevice is fabricated. When bent and folded back upon itself; the plasticsubstrate 30 and conductive surfaces bring the electrical contacts tothe top side of the drug applicator where the electrical connections areto be made with the reusable power supply 18. The adhesive coating 32 onthe inside (and topside) of the plastic substrate 30 secures togetherthe mating surfaces as well as the overlapping edge or end 34 which isprovided with a suitable slot or aperture 36 representing a nest or wellarea for receiving the power supply 18 and its electrical connectors. Asmall peripheral clearing 38 about the aperture 36 represents aninsulating guard area to preclude any possibility of shorting out. Thus,the lower electrode 40 and upper electrode 42 of the battery directly orindirectly make electrical contact with conductors 24, 24'. Suitableinsulating material 44 surrounds the current or electronic conditioningmeans 22, as well as forms the dam separating the drug reservoirs 26, 28and provides the end seals for not only the side of longitudinal edgesbut also for the transverse edges of the transdermal drug applicator. Aconformable cover 12 protects the entire device and may be suitably of askin tone or color and the like appearance.

Should snaps or other type of material fasteners be employed, it ispreferable if the disposition of same is such that the snaps are notsymmetrically laid out as such arrangement would ensure that the powersupply could only be mated in a single manner.

With the drug applicator shown being of electrode/reservoir constructionof the side by side type, the cover need not be conductive as the lipportion merely serves as a peripheral seal and not a return electrode.However, it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable todrug applicators of the "matted" frame construction where the lipportion serves as the return or inactive electrode. In such case, thenthe conformable cover must also be conductive.

Electro-kinetic mass transfer processes require an electric powersource, and in the case of electrophoresis an ionized drug migrates fromthe drug applicator patch through the skin and into the blood stream,whereas in the case of electroosmosis, a fluid carrier, such as water islikewise transported across the skin and into the blood stream carryingalong with it any and all dissolved constituents (ionized drugs orotherwise). Either or both of these two physicochemical phenomena mayjointly work together or independently in transdermally carrying a drugor drugs across the skin in a desired dosage release and/or relativelysteady pattern.

The application of an electric field across the skin greatly enhancesthe skin permeability to various drugs.

Prior to the attachment to the skin, a suitable release liner 48 isremoved leaving the two drug reservoirs, insulating dam and peripheralseals free to adhere to the skin.

It should also be understood that the power supply 18 is supported by alike plastic substrate 50 which is in turn suitably adhesively securedby adhesive 51 to a small conformal cover 52 which neatly covers overand seals off the apertured area where the electrical connections aremade. This ensures that the device can be worn at all times; such as inthe rain or in the shower or bath.

If desired, the reusable power supply 18 may be part of a wrist watch54, as shown in FIG. 2A, having a programmable computer with concentricconductive adhesive connectors 40, 42, such as previously disclosed insaid earlier patent filing with like electrical connections andmechanical securement being provided where needed to achieve suchpackaged construction. The main difference between the disposable drugapplicators shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A is that the conformal cover means12' of FIG. 2A is coated with an adhesive layer 13. Such adhesive layer13 allows removal of the drug applicator and replacement same asadhesive 51 in FIG. 2.

The alternate construction shown in FIG. 3 simply adds the feature of anoptimal tab 56 for the release liner or paper, and the use of offsetapertures 58 and 60 for mating with the conductive adhesive contacts atthe bottom of battery 20 and the extended substrate 50 which may beoffset in a manner to provide just side to side connection in lieu ofconcentric or symmetric connections.

In FIGS. 4-7, drug sub-assemblies are illustrated for use with thedisposable transdermal drug applicators shown in FIGS. 8-9. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the drug reservoirs may be suitable gel layers which canbe rolled or otherwise applied to a webbed substrate fed from endlessrolled sheet material while being separated between reservoirs and abouttheir extreme edges by applied occlusive adhesive dams. The dams areidentified by the Letters A and the drug reservoirs are marked with theletters B representing negative and C representing positive. The "quilt"type pattern where multiple drug reservoirs are employed can befabricated by repetitive operative steps using a silk screen printing ortransfer process. It should also be recognized that the substrate iscoated with a suitable release agent 49, such as silicone and when thesub-assembly is combined into a complete transdermal drug applicator orpatch, the substrate in effect becomes the release liner.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the assembly of two drug applicator sub-assemblies.For example, in FIG. 6, an optional reinforcing web or gel-like material(scrim) 62 may be used to reinforce the gel "drug" reservoirs.

One embodiment uses an open cell foam which is impregnated in differentareas with gel drug reservoirs surrounded by occlusive adhesive gelimpregnating the same open cell foam. Such a structure allows theconstruction of a thick replaceable drug reservoir in which the gel willmaintain its integrity during manufacturing, the application to andremoval from human skin, as well as to the replacement of exhausted drugreservoirs. In manufacture, the open cell foam web may be suitablyattached to a release liner, then provided with occlusive adhesive damswhich completely penetrate the full thickness of the open cell foam,thus forming or designating the drug reservoir areas which can besubsequently filled in with their respective drug/gel mixtures.

As one 48' of the two disposed release liners can be further discardedin production, it can be considered optional, bearing in mind that thegel reservoirs and dams are viscous and retain their shape, and may evenbe further supported by a reinforcing web 62. FIG. 7 simply differs inthat a semi-permeable membrane 64 is provided between the twosub-assemblies so that upon assembly, drug reservoirs are formed withareas or zones of different drug concentration or composition. Such atype of drug reservoir is noted to have significant advantages duringoperation of the transdermal device. Note that appropriate seals can beprovided along the semi-permeable membranes at the edges where eachreservoir ends by means of heat or by other means to collapse the voidsand seal the semipermeable membrane in those areas 47 where the sealsare necessary. Alternately, silicone dams could also be used as sealsbetween zones of semi-permeable materials. In addition, thesemi-permeable materials may be preimpregnated with drugs or otherchemicals which might be employed. These sub-assemblies of FIGS. 4-7will now be shown and described as assembled onto the sub-assembly ofFIG. 10. For purposes of disposability of the drug reservoirs, thesesub-assemblies (FIGS. 4-7) are disposable and like replacements may beused to replenish the drug supply.

The disposable drug applicator 70 shown in FIG. 8 comprises anoptionally replaceable drug reservoir sub-assembly 72 (any one of FIGS.4-7) and a further sub-assembly 74 for the power means and electricalconditioning means which assemblies are secured together by suitableconductive adhesives. Sub-assembly 74 comprised essentially of battery20 and current conditioning means 22 and associated conductive adhesives40, 42, as best shown in FIG. 2. The electrical circuit running betweenthe drug reservoirs and through the skin is a loop similar to that ofFIG. 2, the only difference being the permanent nature of the batteryand current/electrical conditioning means in the applicator structurerather than the reusable nature of the FIG. 2 embodiment. However, herejust the drug reservoir sub-assembly 72 may be replaced where required.

In FIG. 8A, the cover means 70' is suitably provided with window means,as is shown, which allows the status of the drug applicator to beobserved. Such indicator means which is observed through the windowmeans is more particularly described in my earlier filed U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 660,192, filed Oct. 12,1984. As shown in FIG. 8A,the indicator means 150 is electrically in series with the currentconditioning means 22 and conductive surface 90 which powers drugreservoir B. The connections of said indicator means 150 to the currentconditioning means 90 and the conductive surface are achieved by meansof a suitable flexible conductive adhesive, as is shown at the contactjoints 152 and 154.

FIG. 9 represents a like kind of disposable drug applicator 70 having anoptionally replaceable drug reservoir sub-assembly 72, as illustrated inFIGS. 8-8A, and a power source or flat layered battery, as well aselectrical or current conditioning means 84 sub-assembly which aresecured together by suitable conductive adhesives. In this modification,the battery embodies sheet electrodes such as carbon (+) referencenumber 86 and zinc (-), reference number 88 and the drug reservoirelectrodes 90, 90' are thin and flat. The battery electrodes 86, 88 areadhesively connected to a plastic substrate 30. The webbed material inproduction is preferably folded along the illustrated longitudinal foldlines, 73, 73', 73", 73"' (and others as may be required depending uponthe required number of folds) cut transversely to a predetermined size.One carbon electrode 86 which is connected to the drug reservoirelectrode 90 forms a battery with the large zinc electrode 88. Thecarbon electrode 86 which is connected to electrode 90 could be made asone unitary element. This large zinc electrode 88 is electricallyconnected to the other carbon electrode 86 by means of the conductiveadhesive strip 87 at one end thereof, and thus forms a second battery,in series with the first battery, in conjunction with the small zincelectrode 88 which is likewise electrically connected to conductivesurface 134 at 87' or simply with a conductive adhesive strip similar to87.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that most or all of thebattery components and connections within the applicator constructionsof the invention could be applied by silk screen or rotogravure printingor, printed, die cut and stripped at high speed on standard roll labelequipment.

A suitable current or other electronic conditioning means 84 is securedby a conductive adhesive 130 to one of the drug electrode conductivesurfaces 90' of flexible plastic substrate 30 and is also electricallyconnected to one of the battery electrodes, shown at 100 by means of anoptional conductive connector 150'. Optionally, a window means, such asa transparent area of the cover 12 or an opening in said cover allowsthe viewing of an optional indicator 150'. In such case, the indicator150' replaces the conductive connector. The last battery electrode,shown at 88 is electrically connected to the other drug electrodeconductive surface 90 to form a complete electrical circuit between thetwo drug reservoirs and through the skin. A suitable battery electrodeseparates element 131 impregnated with a gelled battery electrolyte isinserted between the carbon and zinc electrodes prior to folding, andthe peripheries of the battery compartments are suitably sealed at 132to prevent electrolyte leakage. In this modification, the drugreservoirs are also optionally removable if desired, as was shown inFIGS. 8-8A. It should also be apparent that not only in thismodification, some adhesives employed may also be conductive while inother instances it is inherent that the adhesive has no other functionthan to secure together objects so it need not necessarily be conductiveand in some cases it must not be conductive or a short circuit wouldoccur. Also, the voltage of the battery will determine the numbers ofcarbon and zinc electrodes required, and such voltage can vary dependingupon the applications. Although only carbon/zinc batteries areillustrated, other type battery cells could be made in a similar manner.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouscombinations of the previously described stages of applicatorconstructions can be embodied within one drug applicator device. Forexample, the function of the substrate 48' of FIGS. 6 or 7 could beprovided by the electrode area 90, 90' of FIG. 10 in which case theaddition of the second drug reservoir with its substrate (release liner48) completes the product. It should also be evident that theconstruction shown in FIGS. 6 or 7 describes the replaceable drugreservoir which is employed by the end user (patient, nurse or doctor)by peeling off the release liner 48, applying the drug reservoir to thearea 90, 90' of power supply applicator construction which results inthe device shown in FIG. 9 which then could be applied on the human skinafter peeling off the release liner 48. In this particular construction,it is envisioned that the battery life will be sufficient for the use ofthe applicator of FIG. 9 with a predetermined number of "refills"(similar to FIGS. 6 or 7) when marketed together in kit form. The samewould hold true for all the other alternate constructions andembodiments of the invention. The power supply and the currentregulating or electronic conditioning means is designed to perform onlyfor a predetermined number of "refills" so as to guarantee medicalsupervision for each set of treatments (kit).

A current limiting resistor, in series with the battery can be employedto control the current through the conductive surfaces. Thus, such usewould make the device fail safe and could provide current regulation inaddition to or instead of solid state conditioning means 22 of FIG. 8.Therefore, if the current conditioning means 22 of FIG. 8 short circuitsthis resistor will limit the current to a safe value or level.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding,it will, of course be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made in the form, details, and arrangements of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as set forth in the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. A transdermal drug applicator which is electrically powered,comprising:a flexible, non-conductive substrate having a plurality ofconductive coated areas, said conductive coated areas forming drugreservoir electrodes, a plurality of drug reservoirs separated byocclusive dams and in electrical contact with said drug reservoirelectrodes, flexible mounting means for supporting and removably holdingsaid transdermal drug applicator to a limb of a body and formingtogether therewith a combined dual assembly structure conformable tothat part of said body and skin to which said drug applicator isattached, said mounting means having programmable computer means,including a power source connected in an electrical circuit, with theelectrodes of the drug reservoirs for electrically powering saidapplicator and transmitting the drug programmably through the skin, anda conformal cover enveloping said drug reservoir electrodes but enablingelectrical contact to be made between said drug reservoir electrodes andsaid power source, and a release liner covering and protecting said drugreservoirs until use.
 2. The transdermal drug applicator which iselectrically powered according to claim 1, wherein some of theconductive coated areas interconnecting the drug reservoir electrodesare of a predetermined resistance so as to perform the function of acurrent limiting resistor.
 3. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim1 including a case incorporating the programmable computer means andpower source, and having electrical connections to enable electricalcontact with said reservoir electrodes in an overlapping manner.
 4. Atransdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the programmablecomputer means and power source are part of a sub-assembly constructedand mountable in the form of a watchband.
 5. A transdermal drugapplicator as in claim 4, wherein the programmable computer means andpower source further include a watch.
 6. A transdermal drug applicatoras in claim 4, further including a watch, and wherein the conformalcover is removably attachable to said watch-band.
 7. A drug applicatoras in claim 1, wherein the conformal cover is coated on the outside withan adhesive.
 8. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the release linercomprises silicone for facilitating its release.
 9. An applicator as inclaim 1, wherein the occlusive dams comprise silicone.
 10. An applicatoras in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirs are part of a removable,replaceable sub-assembly.
 11. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim1, wherein the programmable computer means and power source are part ofa replaceable, removable sub-assembly.
 12. An applicator as in claim 1,wherein the drug reservoir electrodes are thin and flat.
 13. Atransdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirs,drug reservoir electrodes, said occlusive dams, and non-conductivesubstrate comprise a foldable, removable, and replaceable sub-assemblywithin said conformal cover.
 14. A transdermal drug applicator as inclaim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 15. A transdermaldrug applicator as in claim 14, wherein the battery is part of saidtransdermal drug applicator, and said battery includes battery electrodeterminals connected in the electrical circuit to said reservoirelectrodes.
 16. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 15, furtherincluding means in said electrical circuit for providing an indicationof the operative condition of said drug applicator.
 17. A transdermaldrug applicator as in claim 15, wherein said substrate is formed with180 degree folds at opposite ends thereof with the conductive coatedareas providing electrical connection between top and bottom sideportions; said drug reservoirs being in electrical contact with saiddrug reservoir electrodes at the bottom side and said battery electrodeterminals being electrically connected to said conductive coated areasat the top side for providing current to the drug reservoirs via saidconductive coated areas and said drug reservoir electrodes with one sideof said drug reservoirs adapted to be applied to the skin of thepatient.
 18. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 17, wherein saidpower source together with the conductive coated areas formsubstantially said electrical circuit to said drug reservoirs of saiddrug applicator.
 19. A drug applicator as in claim 17, further includingan adhesive layer firmly securing the folded opposite ends of saidsubstrate to itself.
 20. A drug applicator as in claim 19, wherein saidfolded opposite ends overlie each other.
 21. An applicator as in claim1, wherein the drug reservoirs comprise a gelled electrolyte.
 22. Atransdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirsfurther include a semipermeable membrane between high and low drugdensity zones within said drug reservoirs.
 23. A transdermal drugapplicator as in claim 1, wherein the conductive coated areas comprise anoble metal.
 24. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, whereinthe flexible substrate is folded at opposite ends and upon itself in anoverlapping manner.
 25. An electrically powered transdermal drugapplicator comprising:first and second components with said firstcomponent having a power source with terminals for direct electricalconnection to mating drug reservoir electrodes of a plurality of drugreservoirs in said second component; said drug reservoir electrodesbeing formed from a plurality of conductive coated areas on a flexiblenon-conductive substrate having ends which overlap one another, withsaid drug reservoirs in electrical contact with the terminals of saidpower source indirectly via said mating drug reservoir electrodes, and aconformal cover, having at least one opening through which saidterminals contact said electrodes, secured to and enveloping saidplurality of drug reservoirs and said substrate and said mating drugreservoir electrodes, but leaving one side of said drug reservoirs freeto be applied to the skin of a patient when said transdermal drugapplicator is used, whereby said first component with said power sourceis reuseable and overlies said drug reservoir electrodes formed fromsaid coated areas on said non-conductive substrate, and whereby saidsecond component having said plurality of drug reservoirs being forreplacement as desired.